Letters to the editor for Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Published: Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at 5:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, July 16, 2013 at 6:57 p.m.

Encouraging everyone to 'nail Gale'

Local philanthropist Gale Lemerand offered to match up to $100,000 in donations for Meals On Wheels in the beginning of June, when the federal government pulled the plug on $120,000 for the Council on Aging of Volusia.

I'm disappointed that the Volusia County citizens have not stepped up to at least match the $100,000 Lemerand so generously offered. I'm asking everyone to send something to the Council On Aging.

If you send $5, they get $10. If you send $10, they get $20 — and on and on. Get it. Do it now. Make out checks to the Council On Aging (use the memo field on the check to note "Meals Match.") Mail them to: Council On Aging of Volusia County, P.O. Box 671, Daytona Beach, FL, 32115.

Many of these shut-in seniors are forced to make a decision between food or medicine. So let's "nail Gale" for his $100,000. He would love it, and special thanks to all those volunteers who prepare and deliver the meals.

MARVIN MILLER

Ormond Beach

Editor's note: Donations received through July 31 will count toward the $100,000 challenge grant Lemerand has offered the Council on Aging's meals programs, and council officials say they are "optimistic" that they will meet the goal. Donations can also be processed online at

www.coavolusia.org/.

Palm Coast's spending

We, the people who pay taxes and vote, did not request the City Walk, Town Center, red-light cameras or the "walking bridge" at Palm Harbor Drive and Florida Park Drive, to name a few gems this city government shoved down our throats.

The vehicle bridge by the Yacht Club should have been replaced three years ago, but instead they built an over-the-top bridge for walking and bikes. While doing that, they demolished a concrete walkway that was just months old and replaced it with blacktop. Now that's what you need with all our 90-degree days: A blacktop walking path.

The vehicle bridge by the Yacht Club is due to be rehabilitated this summer. This should be a real thrill. Take a look at the bridge railing on the bridge they replaced by the marina at Palm Harbor and Club House. Look at the railing. It has more waves in it than the Intracoastal Waterway during a storm. That's the part we see.

As for City Walk, if it wasn't for the city government and the sheriff it would be three-quarters empty. Taxpayers didn't ask for it, but we have it and now it's not good enough for the money-gougers we elected and told us we needed it.

And Town Center — "build it and they will come." Really?

Now they will destroy beautiful trees on Palm Coast Parkway. Why? To fix the traffic problems they created making this into a big city, while we lose our nice, quiet residential community. The reason we moved here is going down the tubes fast.

We have to recall this group as fast as possible before we lose everything in their quest for money. In addition, our elected officials and our six-figure, non-elected city manager should have to disclose their financial information each year.

No city hall, no red-light cameras, no new taxes, no big city.

JACK LYONS

Palm Coast

Editor's note: The walking bridge near the Yacht Club was built because of complaints about the safety of pedestrians on the vehicle bridge, Palm Coast spokeswoman Cindi Lane says, and the path was replaced because it was less expensive than widening the existing walkway. Copies of financial disclosure forms are available at the Flagler County elections office.

Great new trailhead opens

I see that the Lehigh Trail trailhead is finally open on Colbert Lane.

This is a beautiful facility, complete with ample parking as well as rest rooms, and will help additional people enjoy this trail. If you don't know, the Lehigh Trail runs from Colbert Lane to U.S. 1, a distance of more than seven miles. There is additional parking, but without restroom facilities, on both sides of the trail on Belle Terre Parkway, as well as Old Kings Road.

You can pass by these areas at any time of day and see how many people are enjoying the trail: Moms pushing strollers, moms and dads teaching their kids to ride a bike, people on roller blades — all enjoying getting exercise, without the fear of being run over by a car, as recently happened to a Jacksonville woman riding along U.S. 1.

Additionally, there is another very beautiful trail that runs from Old Kings to Colbert. It also has parking, and will take you to Waterfront Park and the St. Joe's Walkway.

If you haven't availed yourself of these facilities, you're missing out.

THOMAS METZ

Palm Coast

More about contraceptive

I would like to make a point of clarification regarding an article published July 8: "IUD: safe, effective birth control." The doctor states that an intrauterine device, or IUD, is a form of contraception, period. However, this is only true when the IUD releases its hormone (Mirena or Skyla) or copper (ParaGard) into the uterus and effectively prevents fertilization, i.e., the union of sperm and egg. Since the method is not 100 percent effective and does not prevent a woman from ovulating (releasing an egg) — fertilization, or the conception of a new human being, does occur.

When fertilization does take place, the IUD has failed as a contraceptive and may in fact cause a chemical abortion by another well-recognized mechanism of action. The IUD manufacturers clearly state that another effect of all these products is to "thin the lining of the uterus," potentially altering the normal process of embryo implantation. Preventing implantation of the newly conceived human being results in a chemical abortion.

This is a very important distinction for those women seeking an effective method of contraception but who object to abortion, regardless of how unlikely or infrequent the possibility. In the interest of full disclosure and true informed consent, both the contraceptive and potential abortifacient effects of IUDs should be discussed with every patient before prescribing this method of birth control.

STEVEN WHITE, M.D.

Ormond Beach

Robin Hood won't work

You cannot legislate the poor away by legislating the wealthy out of freedom.

What one person receives without working for, the government should not take from someone else.

Half the people get the idea that they do not have to work — because the government will take care of them, and because someone else would just get what they worked for. That is about the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.

MARGARET DREW TINDEL

Deltona

Kindness in action

Kudos to the citizens of Bunnell, for organizing such a sensational and highly successful fundraiser a few weeks ago to help a fellow citizen who is recuperating from cancer surgery.

The way the community rallied around Pam White was inspiring, not only to her but to all of us who attended.

The event was a prime example of what people who are loving, compassionate, energetic and determined can do to make a difference.

MORRIS CARTER, M.D.

Ormond Beach

Cubs thank vets groups

The Daytona Cubs would like to offer a sincere thank you to our Vietnam Veterans Association Chapter 1048, and the Rolling Thunder Chapter 8.

Before our July 4 game, together we unveiled a beautiful new flagpole made possible by their fundraising efforts. In addition, Jackie Robinson Ballpark now showcases a POW stadium seat, in honor of those 83,000-plus missing soldiers (a seat used in the movie "42").

These veterans continue to give back to fellow vets and the community without seeking the acknowledgement they deserve. The Cubs express our gratitude to these groups and others who contributed to both projects, making "The Jack" an even prouder community landmark.

<p class="bold allcaps">Encouraging everyone to 'nail Gale'</p>
<p>Local philanthropist Gale Lemerand offered to match up to $100,000 in donations for Meals On Wheels in the beginning of June, when the federal government pulled the plug on $120,000 for the Council on Aging of Volusia. </p><p>I'm disappointed that the Volusia County citizens have not stepped up to at least match the $100,000 Lemerand so generously offered. I'm asking everyone to send something to the Council On Aging. </p><p>If you send $5, they get $10. If you send $10, they get $20 &mdash; and on and on. Get it. Do it now. Make out checks to the Council On Aging (use the memo field on the check to note "Meals Match.") Mail them to: Council On Aging of Volusia County, P.O. Box 671, Daytona Beach, FL, 32115. </p><p>Many of these shut-in seniors are forced to make a decision between food or medicine. So let's "nail Gale" for his $100,000. He would love it, and special thanks to all those volunteers who prepare and deliver the meals.</p><p></p><p><b>MARVIN MILLER</p><p>Ormond Beach</b></p><p></p><p><i>Editor's note: Donations received through July 31 will count toward the $100,000 challenge grant Lemerand has offered the Council on Aging's meals programs, and council officials say they are "optimistic" that they will meet the goal. Donations can also be processed online at</p><p>www.coavolusia.org/.</i></p><h3>Palm Coast's spending</h3>
<p>We, the people who pay taxes and vote, did not request the City Walk, Town Center, red-light cameras or the "walking bridge" at Palm Harbor Drive and Florida Park Drive, to name a few gems this city government shoved down our throats. </p><p>The vehicle bridge by the Yacht Club should have been replaced three years ago, but instead they built an over-the-top bridge for walking and bikes. While doing that, they demolished a concrete walkway that was just months old and replaced it with blacktop. Now that's what you need with all our 90-degree days: A blacktop walking path. </p><p>The vehicle bridge by the Yacht Club is due to be rehabilitated this summer. This should be a real thrill. Take a look at the bridge railing on the bridge they replaced by the marina at Palm Harbor and Club House. Look at the railing. It has more waves in it than the Intracoastal Waterway during a storm. That's the part we see. </p><p>As for City Walk, if it wasn't for the city government and the sheriff it would be three-quarters empty. Taxpayers didn't ask for it, but we have it and now it's not good enough for the money-gougers we elected and told us we needed it. </p><p>And Town Center &mdash; "build it and they will come." Really? </p><p>Now they will destroy beautiful trees on Palm Coast Parkway. Why? To fix the traffic problems they created making this into a big city, while we lose our nice, quiet residential community. The reason we moved here is going down the tubes fast. </p><p>We have to recall this group as fast as possible before we lose everything in their quest for money. In addition, our elected officials and our six-figure, non-elected city manager should have to disclose their financial information each year. </p><p>No city hall, no red-light cameras, no new taxes, no big city.</p><p><b>JACK LYONS</p><p>Palm Coast</b></p><p><i>Editor's note: The walking bridge near the Yacht Club was built because of complaints about the safety of pedestrians on the vehicle bridge, Palm Coast spokeswoman Cindi Lane says, and the path was replaced because it was less expensive than widening the existing walkway. Copies of financial disclosure forms are available at the Flagler County elections office.</i></p><h3>Great new trailhead opens</h3>
<p>I see that the Lehigh Trail trailhead is finally open on Colbert Lane. </p><p>This is a beautiful facility, complete with ample parking as well as rest rooms, and will help additional people enjoy this trail. If you don't know, the Lehigh Trail runs from Colbert Lane to U.S. 1, a distance of more than seven miles. There is additional parking, but without restroom facilities, on both sides of the trail on Belle Terre Parkway, as well as Old Kings Road. </p><p>You can pass by these areas at any time of day and see how many people are enjoying the trail: Moms pushing strollers, moms and dads teaching their kids to ride a bike, people on roller blades &mdash; all enjoying getting exercise, without the fear of being run over by a car, as recently happened to a Jacksonville woman riding along U.S. 1. </p><p>Additionally, there is another very beautiful trail that runs from Old Kings to Colbert. It also has parking, and will take you to Waterfront Park and the St. Joe's Walkway. </p><p>If you haven't availed yourself of these facilities, you're missing out.</p><p><b>THOMAS METZ</p><p>Palm Coast</b></p><h3>More about contraceptive</h3>
<p>I would like to make a point of clarification regarding an article published July 8: "IUD: safe, effective birth control." The doctor states that an intrauterine device, or IUD, is a form of contraception, period. However, this is only true when the IUD releases its hormone (Mirena or Skyla) or copper (ParaGard) into the uterus and effectively prevents fertilization, i.e., the union of sperm and egg. Since the method is not 100 percent effective and does not prevent a woman from ovulating (releasing an egg) &mdash; fertilization, or the conception of a new human being, does occur. </p><p>When fertilization does take place, the IUD has failed as a contraceptive and may in fact cause a chemical abortion by another well-recognized mechanism of action. The IUD manufacturers clearly state that another effect of all these products is to "thin the lining of the uterus," potentially altering the normal process of embryo implantation. Preventing implantation of the newly conceived human being results in a chemical abortion. </p><p>This is a very important distinction for those women seeking an effective method of contraception but who object to abortion, regardless of how unlikely or infrequent the possibility. In the interest of full disclosure and true informed consent, both the contraceptive and potential abortifacient effects of IUDs should be discussed with every patient before prescribing this method of birth control.</p><p><b>STEVEN WHITE, M.D.</p><p>Ormond Beach</b></p><h3>Robin Hood won't work</h3>
<p>You cannot legislate the poor away by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. </p><p>What one person receives without working for, the government should not take from someone else. </p><p>Half the people get the idea that they do not have to work &mdash; because the government will take care of them, and because someone else would just get what they worked for. That is about the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.</p><p><b>MARGARET DREW TINDEL</p><p>Deltona</b></p><h3>Kindness in action</h3>
<p>Kudos to the citizens of Bunnell, for organizing such a sensational and highly successful fundraiser a few weeks ago to help a fellow citizen who is recuperating from cancer surgery. </p><p>The way the community rallied around Pam White was inspiring, not only to her but to all of us who attended. </p><p>The event was a prime example of what people who are loving, compassionate, energetic and determined can do to make a difference.</p><p><b>MORRIS CARTER, M.D.</p><p>Ormond Beach</b></p><h3>Cubs thank vets groups</h3>
<p>The Daytona Cubs would like to offer a sincere thank you to our Vietnam Veterans Association Chapter 1048, and the Rolling Thunder Chapter 8. </p><p>Before our July 4 game, together we unveiled a beautiful new flagpole made possible by their fundraising efforts. In addition, Jackie Robinson Ballpark now showcases a POW stadium seat, in honor of those 83,000-plus missing soldiers (a seat used in the movie "42"). </p><p>These veterans continue to give back to fellow vets and the community without seeking the acknowledgement they deserve. The Cubs express our gratitude to these groups and others who contributed to both projects, making "The Jack" an even prouder community landmark.</p><p><b>BRADY BALLARD</p><p>Daytona Beach</b></p><p><i>Ballard is general manager of Daytona Cubs Professional Baseball</i>.</p>